とんぼ返りする · noun or participle which takes 'suru'
| Form | Positive | Negative |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary | とんぼ返りする | とんぼ返りしない |
| Polite | とんぼ返りします | とんぼ返りしません |
| Past polite | とんぼ返りしました | とんぼ返りしませんでした |
| Past | とんぼ返りした | とんぼ返りしなかった |
| Te-form | とんぼ返りして | とんぼ返りしないで |
| Desire | とんぼ返りしたい | とんぼ返りしたくない |
| Potential | とんぼ返りできる | とんぼ返りできない |
| Passive | とんぼ返りされる | とんぼ返りされない |
| Causative | とんぼ返りさせる | とんぼ返りさせない |
| Causative passive | とんぼ返りさせられる | とんぼ返りさせられない |
| Volitional | とんぼ返りしよう | |
| Polite volitional | とんぼ返りしましょう | |
| Imperative | とんぼ返りしろ | とんぼ返りするな |
| Conditional | とんぼ返りすれば | とんぼ返りしなければ |
| Tara conditional | とんぼ返りしたら | とんぼ返りしなかったら |
noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', intransitive verb
A forward or backward flip, like a dragonfly's quick turn. Often used in gymnastics or play.
The children are doing somersaults in the park.
We practiced somersaults in gym class.
noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', intransitive verb
quick round trip; there and back without staying
Going to a place and returning immediately, often without an overnight stay. Implies a very short visit.
I went to Osaka and came right back.
It was a quick round trip for business, so I had no time for sightseeing.
noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', intransitive verb
abrupt turnaround; sudden reversal
Metaphorical use: a sudden change in direction, opinion, or policy, like flipping over.
The president's policy did an about-face, and the project was canceled.
Mixed kana-kanji spelling with 帰り; seen in informal contexts.
Katakana spelling of the dragonfly part, often seen in casual writing.
Rare kanji form using 蜻蛉 for dragonfly; mainly literary or historical.